Quote:Due to recent developments I'm going to make an ammendment to my original post.

For all of you there who are thinking of creating a new martial art. Martial arts are not created by any one person. Of course there is an instigator of a certain martial art, a founder perhaps. However, over generations arts develop by having to stand up to the scrutiny of the artists. These many martial artists create the art, not just one person.

This point was once described to me in a slightly different manner:

Ancient martial arts thrived because they work. If a technique did not work, it was not passed on from generation to generation. As well, if the technique did not work, the practictioners were often dead as a result.

Starting a new art that will be accepted by many is very difficult nowadays. I havenīt tried it, but I have had a very unorthodox history with martial arts. I got a black belt in Shurinryu from someone who studied in the service, which many people are just hearing about today in the U.S. anyway. I did most of my study one on one. Once you do that itīs hard to go back to a school, because the school is usually just too slow--unfortunately. People in schools can afford to be more sloppy too. As a result of lack of satisfaction with schools, since then I have learned through very long workshops, through videos, and through some classes. When I was young there wasnīt any such thing as distance learning of martial arts and things like that. Now the stuff is amazing. You can learn forms and self defense techniques and then go and show them to the head instructor and practice and correct them and then you have it. I find this fascinating. When I started MA I started at the Y, of course, with Tae Kwando. Everything was secret back then. You couldnīt learn anything. Now everything is open for the person who has the discipline and tenacity to learn it. If anyone wants to do MA for their health, a spiritual discipline or just to learn to defend themselves, the door is open even if they canīt afford the high prices.

I would like to offer two minor clarifications to your thoughts if I might.

With regard to uniforms, they are functional for several reasons. They make no disticntion between gender, or ones financial status (or lack). Everyone is wearing the identical canvas material, satin material whatever the case might be. In that way everyone is equalized. In that manner uniforms are of value.

Secondly, one aspect of training which some have difficulty clarifying, is the question of "why" they wish to train. For some indeed, it is a simple question of perception/fear. Whether either have objective validity might perhaps be a very different question.

I propose one thing (regardless of ones disposition/predisposition towards combat, fighting) would be the issue of drawing our boundries. I contend that regardless of our goals, whether known or otherwise... I contend that as a direct and specific product of training, all of us learn how to ~draw the lines in the sand~. Whatever realm that might be physical, emotional whatever the case because we learn how to physically assert ourselves, protect oneself against our training partners... how difficult are the outside world challenges compairatively?

That was one of the most intelligent posts I have seen in a long time. Never waste your money on a DVD that shows you all the "secrets", a school that wants to charge you all kinds of fees for belts, starter kits etc.

Another point I would like to add for students intrested in working out, never buy "stacks" from the bodybuilding shop, or the new "wonder supplement", 99% of the time it is all garbage. I stand by protein and only protein. It is the only thing you need when you eat right, and eating is the most important part. I started training young, I wish I could get the thousands I spent back now.Good Luck

Thanks.Great info. I am probably as green as they come. I have always been interested in the MA, but just recently decided to take a course. I did the reserch and found what you were talking about. High prices and blackbelt factories.I setteled on the only teacher in my town. The others I was reserching was 25-65 miles away.I took my first free lesson last night, have one more tuesday night, and then I am going to join. I was immediatly hooked. I chose Tang Soo Do. And I have to say, even though I am VERY sore today, I had a blast. My instructor has the patience of Job.Very kind man.I'll let you know how it goes and how I progress.

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One, maybe...Just maybe, i might be 1/1000th as good as Chuck Norris

very nice post. i'd like to add one thing to it. well maybe two.1 ..dont be in a hurry to get anywhere, just enjoy the ride, relax, and you'll probably find yourself learning faster than you thought.2..even in a sport art, dont concentrate solely on being better than other people, concentrate instead on improving yourself at all times. in this, you will always succeed. but nothing can ever guarantee you will win a fight, or a tournament. and the better you are, the more you improve yourself, your timing, your technique, your understanding...wins will come more naturally. thanks

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you can do anything you want to...you just cant always do it aloneto ask is a moments shame, not to ask, and remain ignorant is a lifelong shame